Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan conducted a comprehensive review of the AYUSH department at the Secretariat on Monday. Highlighting Uttarakhand’s rich heritage and significance in Ayurveda, Bardhan emphasized the need to expand the reach of traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Homeopathy across the state.
He directed officials to develop a detailed action plan focused on increasing public engagement with Ayurveda, boosting research initiatives, and enhancing the popularity of AYUSH treatments among the general public.
As an initial step, Bardhan proposed that 25 AYUSH and Wellness Centers across the state be developed as Centers of Excellence. These centers, he said, should offer robust facilities for Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Panchkarma, and Yoga. He also recommended integrating these wellness centers with the state’s tourism circuit to promote health tourism.
Bardhan stressed the need to upgrade existing Ayurvedic hospitals and transform them into Centers of Excellence. He further instructed officials to revisit key proposals received during the Investors Summit and take necessary steps for their implementation.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of AYUSH hospitals and medical colleges being constructed under the National AYUSH Mission, directing that a clear timeline be established for completion. He emphasized that proposals for staff recruitment should be approved alongside the construction of these new facilities.
Additionally, Bardhan called for a strategic plan to ensure that AYUSH and Wellness Centers become self-sustaining while continuing to function as Centers of Excellence.
The review meeting was also attended by Secretary Dipendra Kumar Chaudhary, Additional Secretary Anand Swaroop, and other senior officials of the department.
